How Much Does the Augusta National Membership Cost?

Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Augusta National is a famous golf club founded in 1932 on an old plantation and plant nursery. The golf course was designed by Bobby Jones with the aim of building a world-class winter golf course in Georgia.

The first Masters championship was held at Augusta National in 1934 and its first club professional was Ed Dudley. He won 15 Professional Golfers’ Association tours. Also, former United States President Dwight Eisenhower was a guest of Augusta National.

How much does the Augusta National membership cost?

The cost of the Augusta National membership is believed to be around $40,000 for the initiation fee with annual dues estimated at around $25,000-30,000.

If you want to be a “green jacket” at Augusta National, you should be prepared to pay anywhere between $100,000 and $300,000 for this membership. Also, membership to the National is available only by invitation.

Another fee you need to consider when talking about the costs of being a member of Augusta National is the green fee, which is around $400. It can increase to $550 during the week when the Masters is held.

Guests are permitted only when accompanied by a member of the club. Guest fees likely exceed $1,000 per day.

Once you are given the literal “green jacket”, you will have to wear it during the tournaments. In case you are not using the “green jacket”, you will have to return it. The only exception is the winners of the Masters. They are allowed to keep the jacket for a certain period of time before they have to return it.

How much does it cost to become a member of the Augusta Club?

Membership at Augusta National Golf Club

Augusta National is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world with around 300 members.

The club has a strict, invitation-only policy for new members. There is a long waiting list and lengthy vetting process.

This club used to be an all-male club, but almost a decade ago two women members were also accepted, so now it is open for both men and women. Darla Moore was one of the first women to be accepted.

Members are typically powerful, influential figures in business, politics, finance, industry, and sports. Notable current members at Augusta National include Bill Gates, Lynn Swann, Warren Buffett, Jack Welch, Tiger woods, Sam Nunn, Roger Goodell, and Condoleezza Rice.

Membership also grants entry to the Champions Dinner and Par 3 Contest during Masters week.

Regular Membership

This is the standard full membership of the country club. It requires invitation, vetting, and approval by existing members.

Honorary Membership

A select few are extended honorary lifetime Augusta National members. Recent honorees include Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

Five-Eighths Membership

The Augusta National’s limited five-eighths status is occasionally offered, allowing its use 5 days per week.

Amenities

Some of the facilities offered by Augusta National include a default clubhouse, cabins, a wine cellar, a bar, and pro shops. Currently, there are three cabins dedicated to the sponsors AT&T, IBM, and Mercedes-Benz.

You might also like our articles on the cost of membership at Hacienda Golf Club, Sand Hills Golf Club, or Druid Hills Golf Club.

The club’s on-site press building is equipped with leather chairs, television studios, staffed bathrooms, a complimentary restaurant, and various snack options. The cameras which are placed all over the course are connected directly to the press building’s studios through underground cables.

Besides the great amenities, Augusta National Club has strict rules that its staff, members, and guests (patrons) need to follow. For instance, electronic devices are forbidden on the site. Also, as a spectator, you are not allowed to cheer when a player makes a mistake. Loud talking or running around is not allowed either.

These rules are enforced by the security guards, that are traditionally offered by Pinkerton. In case you break one of these rules you will be permanently banned or even prosecuted when it is possible.

Also, the maintenance of the club’s golf course is impeccable. For example, the pine tree needles are imported and the staff even used to dye the waters blue. However, they have stopped this practice. Bird sounds are played over the speakers.

The Augusta National Golf Club course has some notable spots such as the Amen Corner, a press building, Berckmans Place, Eisenhower’s tree, which was later cut down, “a place of staggering charmlessness and aesthetic death” in an old plantation house where tournament winners are presented with a green jacket and other more.

The Augusta National has an 18-hole course. The unofficial rating the Augusta National received from The United States Golf Association is 78.1. Before this, the club had a rating of 76.2.

Important things to consider

The Berckmans Place from Augusta National Club operates only for one week during the Masters. It is known also as Berckmans or simply BP and it is a 90,000-square-foot private shopping and dining complex. Be prepared to pay around $10,000 for the one-week entry pass. Also, you will need the approval of Augusta National as there is a 10-ticket limit.

In this cost-free dining at Berckmans’ five full-service restaurants, Pavilion, Augusta’s Seafood, MacKenzie’s Pub, Calamity Jane’s, and Ike’s Place, is included.

As a BP client, you can use an exclusive entryway and parking lot. There are also four putting greens and a pro shop.